The server used a corkscrew to pull out the stopper, gripped the bottle, and tilted its mouth.
Red wine flowed into the glass, its mellow aroma spreading through the air.
Meng Shuyao lifted the glass and took a sip.
It was faintly astringent on the tip of her tongue, with a sweet finish.
The interwoven taste of fruit and oak awakened her taste buds, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
She had not had enough, so she drank a few more mouthfuls, until the glass was empty.
Perhaps her emotions were to blame; the alcohol went to her head, and she forgot that she had never had a good tolerance.
Usually she was tipsy after three glasses and down after five. Outside, she never dared drink too much, yet today she greedily drank nearly half a bottle.
Her cheeks flushed with a tipsy red, and her vision gradually blurred.
She hugged the wine bottle, preparing to pour herself another glass.
Before the wine could come out, the bottle was suddenly taken from her.
“Stop drinking.”
A figure loomed over her.
Meng Shuyao lifted her head in displeasure. Her gaze was hazy, and she could not make out the face, but the voice sounded very familiar.
Low, cool, and magnetic.
She murmured softly, “Mr. Pei…”
Pei Yuzhou frowned. “If you can’t hold your liquor, don’t drink.”
Meng Shuyao rubbed her eyes and looked around. “Where’s the girl who was eating with you? Why is she gone?”
Pei Yuzhou said, “She went back.”
“How many girls did you invite here to have fun?”
“…”
“You clearly promised me.” Meng Shuyao looked at him with drunken, misty eyes. “Did you promise someone else too?”
Pei Yuzhou did not want to waste words with a drunk. “You’re drunk. Go back to your room.”
“I’m not drunk.” Meng Shuyao’s voice was muffled, her nasal tone carrying an indescribable grievance. “I waited for you for so long, but you were eating with someone else.”
She muttered, “Scumbag.”
“…”
-
Pei Yuzhou only found out there was an extra person at dinner when he arrived at the restaurant.
Pete looked apologetic. “I’m really sorry, Kerwin. My sister insisted on coming with me for dinner. You don’t mind, do you?”
Pei Yuzhou’s expression was indifferent as he calmly took his seat. “As you please.”
Pete shot her a look. “Daisy, say hello to Mr. Kerwin.”
The girl hurriedly said, “Hello, Mr. Kerwin. My name is Daisy.”
Pei Yuzhou gave a slight nod.
Pete’s tone was rather helpless. “This sister of mine has been spoiled by the family. I can’t do anything with her. I wish she’d marry off sooner, so she’ll stop staying at home and tormenting me.”
“What are you saying, Brother?” Daisy complained coquettishly. “I don’t like any of the boys you introduced to me.”
Pete gave a soft snort of laughter. “Then tell me yourself what kind you like.”
Daisy lowered her eyes in embarrassment, glancing across the table intentionally or otherwise.
Her thoughts were self-evident.
She had never seen a man this good-looking before. Not only were his face and figure one in ten thousand, his presence and force of character were unmatched. His noble bearing seemed entirely innate.
She admired the strong and appreciated capable men.
But no matter how she hinted, the other party gave no reaction.
Pei Yuzhou did not speak to her the entire time.
Pete could only change the subject and talk about something else.
Daisy lowered her head awkwardly and drank water.
The dishes were served one after another.
Halfway through the meal, Pete’s phone rang. He looked at Pei Yuzhou. “Sorry, I’ll step out to take a call. You two go ahead and eat.”
Once he left, the atmosphere became completely quiet.
Daisy put down her cutlery and tried to find something to say. “Mr. Kerwin, are you free tomorrow? I heard there’s also a zoo here. We…”
“Very busy,” Pei Yuzhou said concisely.
Unwilling to give up, Daisy asked, “Then when are you free? Could we have afternoon tea together, or go out on the lake?”
He spoke even more plainly. “There’s no need to waste time on me.”
“Is there something about me that isn’t good enough?” Daisy felt somewhat defeated. Since childhood, she had never lacked pursuers. This was the first time she had experienced being rejected.
Pei Yuzhou leaned back, his body relaxed. “Those who admire you will naturally see what’s good about you, but that person isn’t me.”
With things said to this point, Daisy understood.
-
Pei Yuzhou never explained himself to anyone. He called over two servers to take Meng Shuyao back to her room.
“I don’t want to. I haven’t drunk enough yet.” She refused to leave and reached out to snatch the red wine back. “This wine is so good. Can we get another bottle? I want to bring it back for Winnie and Mia to try.”
The server came over to support her. “Miss, let us take you back to rest.”
Meng Shuyao shook her head. “Don’t touch me. I’m not leaving.”
Pei Yuzhou opened his lips in a low voice. “If you don’t leave, I’ll throw you out.”
“Go ahead.” Drunk, Meng Shuyao feared nothing and simply gave up on caring. “It’s not like anyone cares about me anyway…”
A sudden surge of emotion welled up in her chest. As she spoke, tears gathered in her eyes. “If you throw me away, I won’t ever have to go back to that hateful home again.”
Pei Yuzhou stood by the table and looked at her. Tears fell like a broken string of beads, her eyes wet and glistening.
He had never known that a girl could have so many tears.
Meng Shuyao did not want to cry, but she could not control it.
Her emotions had been pent up for too long and needed an outlet.
Pei Yuzhou had no way to deal with her. He had tacitly allowed her to come, so he could not truly leave her here and ignore her. “What will it take for you to leave?”
Meng Shuyao raised a hand to wipe away the tear tracks on her face, her throat choked. “I want you to carry me.”
Pei Yuzhou’s temple twitched. “Don’t push your luck.”
Meng Shuyao turned her head away and threw a tantrum. “Then don’t bother with me.”
Pei Yuzhou laughed in exasperation.
Clearly, threats did not work on her.
“I heard anacondas come out at night. Stay here by yourself, then. Perfect for filling its stomach.”
After saying this, he turned and walked away.
Meng Shuyao looked out the window. The distance was pitch-black, as if something might emerge from the water at any moment.
Bloody scenes from horror movies flashed through her mind.
Just then, a gust of wind blew past, and the surface of the water rippled and swayed.
Meng Shuyao sobered up a little from fright. She put down the wine bottle and ran.
In her haste, her leg accidentally struck a chair, and she staggered and fell to the floor. “It hurts…”
Pei Yuzhou stopped and looked back.
After a stalemate of more than ten seconds, he finally compromised.
Meng Shuyao’s leg hurt so much it had gone numb. Before she could react, her body suddenly lifted into the air, and she was held in someone’s arms.
A clear, crisp scent of fir after snow seeped into her nose, warm and pleasant.
Subconsciously, she nuzzled into the man’s arms.
Pei Yuzhou warned her, “Move around and I’ll throw you into the water.”
“Don’t.” Meng Shuyao tightly clutched his shirt, and she instantly became obedient.
Through the thin fabric, their body warmth pressed together.
His embrace was broad and solid, brimming with a sense of security.
Drowsiness came over Meng Shuyao, and her eyelids drooped.
The rustle of leaves brushed past her ears.
Half drunk and half awake, she murmured, “Pei Yuzhou…”
“Your name sounds so nice.”
“Your voice sounds nice too.”
“And you’re good-looking.”
“Everything about you is good.”
“The only flaw is…”
“You don’t like me.”
“Why are you so hard to pursue…”
Pei Yuzhou paid no attention to her muttering.
A soft cheek pressed against his chest, her breath warm as it scattered across his skin through his shirt, stirring a faint, almost nonexistent itch.
His Adam’s apple slowly bobbed, and his steps quickened.
When they returned to the villa, he set her down. “We’re here. Go in yourself.”
Meng Shuyao was dazed and muddled, barely managing to stand steady while holding on to his arm.
Pei Yuzhou waited for her to gather herself. “Let go.”
“I won’t.” Meng Shuyao hugged his arm even tighter. “If I let go, you’ll leave.”